Research Areas

Modulation of Host-Microbiome interaction by vitamin E nanocarriers

The level of the CD36 scavenger receptor at the cellular surface may influence a number of cellular signaling and transport events mediated by ligands that require CD36 for their action, such as fatty acids, oxLDL, parasites and bacteria. CD36 mediates recognition and phagocytosis of a variety of bacteria and interacts with bacterial lipids together with Toll-like Receptors 2 und 6, leading to the modulation of signal transduction important for native immunity and for inflammatory processes in response to bacterial pathogens. In cell culture, CD36 mediates uptake of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways is important for the internalization of these bacteria by endothelial and epithelial cells.

We are investigating whether the modulation of surface CD36 expression by vitamin E and other compounds can influence the uptake of fluorescent labelled bacteria in monocytes/macrophages and across intestinal epithelia cells with consequent changes in inflammatory signaling (Figure 1). In particular, we are investigating whether αTP/nanocarrier complexes adhere to the mucosa produced by intestinal epithelial cells and in this manner act as a deposit to release αTP over time.